Tyler Thompson to Cincinnati one of many high-profile local signings
Rittman standout Tyler Thompson put his pen to paper in signing his letter of intent last night in a ceremony at the high school to the University of Cincinnati. One of the state’s premier throwers, Thompson elected to stick with familiarity, a dose of home, a chance to travel the country and a relationship that was cultivated months before.
“The campus can seem pretty big, but it’s actually very condensed,” said Thompson. “One of the buildings for throwing the hammer is in a wooded area. It reminds me of being home in Wayne County.”
In deciding to take his talents to southern Ohio, Thompson will major in business education. Going to throw for coach Susan Seaton was a big part of his decision. With a relationship that started last spring and has budded ever since, Thompson felt a sense of comfort with Seaton that helped ultimately seal the deal.
“She recruited me very intently. We talked every week. She reached out all the time and we are just able to talk, and she has been there for me, kind of like a bug in my ear,” said Thompson. “Making the decision just felt right and it felt like they really invested in me.”
With the Bearcats joining the Big 12 next year and becoming a Power Five school, the opportunity to travel also appealed to Thompson. He is thrilled to travel, see new places and now just able to focus on his last prep season for Rittman.
“Definitely the opportunity to go to places that I’ve never been before is amazing,” he said. “Not just to compete, but to travel the country. Now it feels amazing to have that stressful decision done, off my shoulders and now I am ready to compete for my senior year.”
Note: The Daily Record will publish a separate story on the signings of Norwayne's Jaylee Wingate (Tennessee) and Wooster's Blake Bowen (Kentucky) in the coming days.
BASEBALL
A year ago, Waynedale enjoyed an incredible season that saw it claim the program’s first state title in baseball. Trey Barkman played no small part of that run as the veteran righty delivered one clutch performance after another. In a ceremony at his high school, Barkman signed his letter of intent to continue his playing career at Div. I Ohio University.
West Holmes’ Nick Ginsburg has been leader for the baseball program and standout placekicker for the football team. The senior signed his letter of intent to continue his baseball career at Div. II Lake Erie College.
Orrville’s Titus Kerr decided to continue his baseball playing career at Div. III Geneva College and teammate Daniel Malcuit decided to attend Div. III Muskingum College for baseball.
GIRLS SOCCER
One of Wooster’s best players in recent history, Christie Fransen capped an outstanding career and will now be playing at the next level. In a ceremony at her high school, Fransen signed her letter to continue her career at Div. I Bowling Green State University.
Norwayne’s Ellen Henslee proved herself to be one of this area’s and state’s best defenders over a great prep career. She helped steady an ever-changing defense and helped the program to a 9-4 run over the last four years in the state tournament and signed her letter of intent to continue her playing career at Div. II Purdue University Northwest.
Loudonville’s Sydney Polen wrapped up the best individual career in area history with 150 career goals and 347 points. With her prep career coming to a close, she signed her letter to continue her career on the pitch at Div. II Ashland University. She will be joined by teammate Anna Templeman, who also had a solid career for the Redbirds.
West Holmes goalkeeper Mia Halverson has been rock solid for the past few years in the net and she signed her letter of intent to continue her play on the pitch at Div. II Lake Erie College.
Joining Halverson at Lake Erie College will be a pair of Northwestern soccer players, who have been at the epicenter of the program’s rise. Blake, who stars in the midfield and Jester in the defensive third, both signed their letters of intent to follow fellow former Husky star, Carley Kandel.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Chippewa standout Annabel Rodriguez became officially signed and sealed to Div. II Malone University in a ceremony at her high school. The talented guard has been consistently one of the area’s elite playmakers over her prep career.
One of the area’s best clutch shooters, Dalton’s Ella Lunsford signed her letter of intent to attend Div. II Ursuline College. A year ago, she added an inside game to her repertoire, and it enabled her to take her game to the next level.
A catalyst for the West Holmes hoops program, Ella McMillen has been nothing short of outstanding over her career. Her all-around game proved to be something college programs were looking for, as she committed to Div. III Marietta College.
SOFTBALL
Reigning Div. II state champion Triway had Emma Flinner sign her letter of intent to continue her playing career at Div. II Ashland University.
Tuslaw standouts Kaitlyn Mazzocca and Lillian Bucher, both key players to the Mustangs' Div. III State runner-up team last year, both signed their letters of intent as well. Mazzocca signed her letter to Div. II Notre Dame College and Bucher signed to Div. II Ohio Dominican College.
Daylie Rickard has been a key component for Northwestern over her prep career and for it, she earned a chance to keep it rolling. She signed her letter of intent to Div. II Malone University.
VOLLEYBALL
The best setter to play in the area in years, Wooster’s Marin Dixon finished fourth all-time in area history for total assists with 2,715. She signed her letter of intent to continue her future at Div. II University of Indianapolis.
Rylee Stookey has enjoyed an outstanding career for Tuslaw and chose to play at Div. III Thiel College. Stookey finished this past season with 170 kills and served up 25 aces on a squad that made its first district final appearance since 2015.
Triway’s Jaymes Gilbert recently signed her letter of intent to continue her volleyball career at Malone University. The talented hitter has enjoyed a standout career for the Titans with 665 kills and 248 blocks over her prep career.
Loudonville’s Katie Seboe has been a big part of the program’s rise in recent years and will continue her career at Div. III Geneva College.
CROSS COUNTRY/TRACK
Over the past four years, the area has experienced its deepest pool of distance runners in area history. Rittman standout Pyper Gibson has been a key part of that as she finished with one of the best times ever, leading to her signing to run at Div. II Walsh University.
Norwayne’s Annabel Stanley has shined bright on the cross country courses throughout her career on her way to one of the best careers of any runner in area history. She finished with a career-best time of 18:35, which is sixth best all-time. She committed to Div. III Trine University.
GIRLS GOLF
The area’s best female golfer over the past two years, Northwestern’s Kylee Purdy will further her golfing career at NAIA Indiana Wesleyan University. This past fall, she averaged a 40.3 from the men’s tees.
Wooster’s Abbi Jones has been one of the area’s best female golfers as well and signed her letter of intent to Div. II Malone University.
GIRLS LACROSSE
Madi Sommer has been a key component to Wooster’s lacrosse team over her career and in a ceremony at the high school, signed her letter of intent to continue her career at Div. II Ashland University.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Rittman's Thompson signs with Cincinnati to lead local signings
